Great American Toy Test 'Fab 14'
UPDATED: 12:06 pm MST November 20, 2006
Christmas trees have sprouted up in all the major shopping areas, signaling the final countdown to the holiday season. And just in time -- from the toy testers at our bureau on the North Pole -- has come the Great American Toy Test's 'Fab 14' for this year. In no particular order, here they are:
BRISTLE BLOCKS -- TWIRLIE TOTS
by Parents Magazine
18 months and up
$34.99
This is a low tech/no tech toy construction and let’s pretend toy that allows kids to use their creativity to create characters and play scenarios. Swivel bases allow the creations to have a range of motion. The lid to the large storage tub acts as a base upon which those creations stand.
MY DAY - DVD
by Signing Time!
All ages
$19.99
This was a surprise winner. This DVD, one for a multiple set of DVDs, teaches people all ages how to use American Sign Language, something usually practiced by the deaf and their families. For some reason, the kids found it fascinating. It provides great mental exercise and, in effect, the learning of a second language. This can spill over into understanding other concepts needed in education and life.
SCENE IT? NICKELODEON
by Screenlife
8 and up
$39.99Using video clips on a DVD and other materials for Nickelodeon’s many programs, the version of “Scene It?” allows children to play a wide arrange of funny and often challenging games. The materials include Spongebob Squarepants, Avatar, Cosmo, Jimmy Neutron and Zoey 101. Brush up on your Nickelodeon knowledge and well as your Grossology.
SPEED STACKS STACK PACK
by Play Along
4 and up
$40.00
It's a trend sweeping the nation. Players stack and unstack specially designed plastic cups in predetermined sequences, racing against each other and the clock. It not only teaches hand/eye coordination and requires following specific directions, children also get a great upper body workout in the process. This is a great activity for one child or for several at a time.
100 HOOPS BASKETBALL
COUNTING GAME
by LeapFrog
3 to 6 yrs.
$24.99
Using a basketball theme, this sturdy electronic toy teaches key math concepts in both English and Spanish. It’s designed to familiarize kids with the numbers 1 through 100. As your preschooler or kindergartner plays, the 100 Hoops Basketball Counting game provides electronic cheers and musical rallies. You child learns while he or she doesn’t even know it.
PLAY TV SKATEBOARDING
by Radica
8 and up
$39.99
Its a great marriage of high technology and let’s pretend without the worry of injury. Using the TV as a focal point, the child stands on the high tech skateboard that senses twists, leg movements and shifts in weight. This, and a hand held remote allow the child to make virtual jumps, spins, half-pipes and other stunts in the safety of their own home. The system can accommodate another boarder for fun competitions on the same virtual courses.
SMART GLOBE 2.0
by Oregon Scientific
5 and up
$129.99
Thirty activities provide interactive learning including country capitals, currency conversion and national anthems. With its wireless stylus and high quality sound, it can be customized for three age groups beginning at age five, right into college. Up to four people can play at the same time. To keep it current, connect it to your computer and update it on the internet.
V. FLASH
by VTech
6 and up
$99.99
This truly amazing learning toy was deliberately fashioned after the most popular video game systems but with a twist: use the system and your TV to teach youngsters valuable skills such as math, geography, reading, science and mental skills. It’s software utilizes many childhood favorite characters including Spiderman, Disney Princess, Spongebob Squarepants and others.
TWISTER DANCE
by Hasbro Games
8 and up
$29.99
This game is all about competitive dancing as well as exercise and fun. You hook it up to your TV and animated characters teach the steps to forty different dance sessions. The set includes four different dance mats, each with numbered steps, to make the learning fun and easy. Kids can have dance contests, dance offs and dance-o-ramas, building self-confidence and getting great exercise all the while.
MONOPOLY: SPONGEBOB
by Hasbro Games
8 and up
$29.99
This is one of two Monopoly games that won in this year’s Great American Toy Test. This one features a childhood favorite, Spongebob Squarepants. The basic monopoly game, buy and selling to accumulate property and cash, remains unchanged. But the affinity youngsters have for this character makes the game more relevant to them.
CARS FAST TALKIN’
LIGHTNING MCQUEEN
by Mattel, Inc.
4 - 7
$34.99
This is a new kind of "remote" controlled vehicle, once that responds to voice commands. Highly interactive, the car, inspired by the Cars movie from Pixar Studios, does a whole lot of talking on it’s own, including making fun of himself when he crashes. It can be programmed to do fifteen different tricks, stunts, spins and maneuvers, all with wise cracks and comments from the car itself. If you kid love cars, you love Fast Talkin’ Lighting McQueen.
BEGINNER’S BALANCING BIKE
by Radio Flyer
3 - 6
$120.00From legendary Radio Flyer, the Beginner’s Balancing Bike teaches youngsters how to balance themselves on a bike before they ever have to pedal. The wooden bike with air filled tires has an adjustable seat for the perfect fit. Since confidence on a bike comes from learning how to balance, this is a true confidence builder. And, once they have that confidence, riding a real bike is a breeze.
MONOPOLY:
NINTENDO COLLECTORS
by USAopoly
8 and up
$34.95
This is the other Monopoly game than won. This time, the characters that catch the interest of the young players are the most recognized characters in the video game industry, the characters from Nintendo, most notably the Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong and others. The player’s pewter tokens also reflect Nintendo themes such as Mario’s hat and Donkey Kong’s barrel.
KID-TOUGH DIGITAL CAMERA
by Fisher-Price
3 and up
$69.99
This is a toy in name only because it's a real, sturdy working digital camera designed for kids. The two eye viewfinder, double hand grips and large buttons make it ideal for easy of use by little ones. And, the get instant gratification by seeing their work on the 1.3 inch viewing screen. Most important, this camera understands that kids will be kids and is built with the sturdiness needed to weather tough handling.
BRISTLE BLOCKS -- TWIRLIE TOTS
by Parents Magazine
18 months and up
$34.99
This is a low tech/no tech toy construction and let’s pretend toy that allows kids to use their creativity to create characters and play scenarios. Swivel bases allow the creations to have a range of motion. The lid to the large storage tub acts as a base upon which those creations stand.
MY DAY - DVD
by Signing Time!
All ages
$19.99
This was a surprise winner. This DVD, one for a multiple set of DVDs, teaches people all ages how to use American Sign Language, something usually practiced by the deaf and their families. For some reason, the kids found it fascinating. It provides great mental exercise and, in effect, the learning of a second language. This can spill over into understanding other concepts needed in education and life.
SCENE IT? NICKELODEON
by Screenlife
8 and up
$39.99Using video clips on a DVD and other materials for Nickelodeon’s many programs, the version of “Scene It?” allows children to play a wide arrange of funny and often challenging games. The materials include Spongebob Squarepants, Avatar, Cosmo, Jimmy Neutron and Zoey 101. Brush up on your Nickelodeon knowledge and well as your Grossology.
SPEED STACKS STACK PACK
by Play Along
4 and up
$40.00
It's a trend sweeping the nation. Players stack and unstack specially designed plastic cups in predetermined sequences, racing against each other and the clock. It not only teaches hand/eye coordination and requires following specific directions, children also get a great upper body workout in the process. This is a great activity for one child or for several at a time.
100 HOOPS BASKETBALL
COUNTING GAME
by LeapFrog
3 to 6 yrs.
$24.99
Using a basketball theme, this sturdy electronic toy teaches key math concepts in both English and Spanish. It’s designed to familiarize kids with the numbers 1 through 100. As your preschooler or kindergartner plays, the 100 Hoops Basketball Counting game provides electronic cheers and musical rallies. You child learns while he or she doesn’t even know it.
PLAY TV SKATEBOARDING
by Radica
8 and up
$39.99
Its a great marriage of high technology and let’s pretend without the worry of injury. Using the TV as a focal point, the child stands on the high tech skateboard that senses twists, leg movements and shifts in weight. This, and a hand held remote allow the child to make virtual jumps, spins, half-pipes and other stunts in the safety of their own home. The system can accommodate another boarder for fun competitions on the same virtual courses.
SMART GLOBE 2.0
by Oregon Scientific
5 and up
$129.99
Thirty activities provide interactive learning including country capitals, currency conversion and national anthems. With its wireless stylus and high quality sound, it can be customized for three age groups beginning at age five, right into college. Up to four people can play at the same time. To keep it current, connect it to your computer and update it on the internet.
V. FLASH
by VTech
6 and up
$99.99
This truly amazing learning toy was deliberately fashioned after the most popular video game systems but with a twist: use the system and your TV to teach youngsters valuable skills such as math, geography, reading, science and mental skills. It’s software utilizes many childhood favorite characters including Spiderman, Disney Princess, Spongebob Squarepants and others.
TWISTER DANCE
by Hasbro Games
8 and up
$29.99
This game is all about competitive dancing as well as exercise and fun. You hook it up to your TV and animated characters teach the steps to forty different dance sessions. The set includes four different dance mats, each with numbered steps, to make the learning fun and easy. Kids can have dance contests, dance offs and dance-o-ramas, building self-confidence and getting great exercise all the while.
MONOPOLY: SPONGEBOB
by Hasbro Games
8 and up
$29.99
This is one of two Monopoly games that won in this year’s Great American Toy Test. This one features a childhood favorite, Spongebob Squarepants. The basic monopoly game, buy and selling to accumulate property and cash, remains unchanged. But the affinity youngsters have for this character makes the game more relevant to them.
CARS FAST TALKIN’
LIGHTNING MCQUEEN
by Mattel, Inc.
4 - 7
$34.99
This is a new kind of "remote" controlled vehicle, once that responds to voice commands. Highly interactive, the car, inspired by the Cars movie from Pixar Studios, does a whole lot of talking on it’s own, including making fun of himself when he crashes. It can be programmed to do fifteen different tricks, stunts, spins and maneuvers, all with wise cracks and comments from the car itself. If you kid love cars, you love Fast Talkin’ Lighting McQueen.
BEGINNER’S BALANCING BIKE
by Radio Flyer
3 - 6
$120.00From legendary Radio Flyer, the Beginner’s Balancing Bike teaches youngsters how to balance themselves on a bike before they ever have to pedal. The wooden bike with air filled tires has an adjustable seat for the perfect fit. Since confidence on a bike comes from learning how to balance, this is a true confidence builder. And, once they have that confidence, riding a real bike is a breeze.
MONOPOLY:
NINTENDO COLLECTORS
by USAopoly
8 and up
$34.95
This is the other Monopoly game than won. This time, the characters that catch the interest of the young players are the most recognized characters in the video game industry, the characters from Nintendo, most notably the Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong and others. The player’s pewter tokens also reflect Nintendo themes such as Mario’s hat and Donkey Kong’s barrel.
KID-TOUGH DIGITAL CAMERA
by Fisher-Price
3 and up
$69.99
This is a toy in name only because it's a real, sturdy working digital camera designed for kids. The two eye viewfinder, double hand grips and large buttons make it ideal for easy of use by little ones. And, the get instant gratification by seeing their work on the 1.3 inch viewing screen. Most important, this camera understands that kids will be kids and is built with the sturdiness needed to weather tough handling.
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